News

January 21 2019

Happy New Year Friends and Music Lovers!

It's been a while since I've had something to share with you and I'm so excited... This coming February, in celebration of Black History month and in honour of the great Oscar Peterson, I'll release a brand new version of the civil rights anthem "Hymn To Freedom". This special song speaks to our dream of unity, peace and dignity for all humankind. I am so proud to be celebrating and honouring this musical legacy!

The song will be available for pre-order January 28th and for download on February 8th.

Produced by Sandy Mamane for Matay Records
Recorded at Inception Sound Studios
Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Mike Haas

Check out the edited promotional lyric video and please share!
Full version will be available for digital download on February 8 2019.

Please let me know what you think about this single and please share the video on your social networks!

I am also going in to the studio this week to start work on a new record that will be coming out this year and you'll be hearing a lot more from me soon.

In the meantime, take care and spread joy!
Love Dione

May 2 2018

BIG NEWS: I have a NEW ALBUM on the way!! I'm so thankful and happy to report that I've received funding from the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council which has afforded me the time and energy to put towards writing and creating new music. The journey of the #BornFree #PrairieBlues is an ongoing adventure which began with William Still (the father of the Underground Railroad) as the primary inspiration. Further inspiration came from my life experiences growing up in Saskatchewan as a P.K. (Pastor's Kid) and feeling the daunting pressures of being perfect in an imperfect world. The follow-up album to Born Free, which will be produced by Joel Schwartz (Birds of Chicago), continues my journey and search for the truth. Stay tuned for an upcoming single to be released at the end of the summer!

In celebration of Black History Month, we had the pleasure of doing a double-bill tour with Digging Roots. Digging Roots are an amazing band and they are fantastic people as well. We share a similar vibe, energy and message as we both write songs about the injustices and sufferings of our peoples. We believe it's important and necessary to educate everyone about the struggles of people of colour so that we can all heal. I'm so grateful that we were able to share the #PrairieBlues with a whole new audience and gain new fans!

UPCOMING SHOWS

This Saturday May 5, I'll be headed to the county of Haliburton to perform a concert for the Haliburton County Folk Society at the Northern Lights Performing Pavilion.

Looking forward to a summer full of sunshine, recording and performing!

Please continue to follow me on my musical journey which gets more interesting and inspiring every day! And follow me on FB, Instagram and Twitter for my most current updates.

With much peace, love and prosperity,Dione

BORN FREE

Here are some accolades we received from our festival performances in 2017:

"Dione Taylor & The Backsliders was my one pleasant surprise at The 2016 TD Kitchener Blues Festival. Her performance was exceptional and was a contributing factor to the success of this year's Kitchener Blues Festival."~ Claude Cloutier, Artistic Director, TD Kitchener Blues Festival, September 2016

"Dione Taylor with her group The Backsliderz, had the audience jumping to her Prairie Blues Sound."~ John McGuirk, Festival Director of The All-Canadian Jazz Festival

"Day 6 kicked off with a soulful, high-energy set from Dione Taylor and The Backsliderz... she is sounding fantastic."~ Josh Grossman, Artistic Director of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival

"Dione Taylor & The Backsliderz are not only a homerun on the stage but an absolute delight to work with off stage."~ Chris Jacks, Trius Jazz at the Winery

"Wow, what a talent! ... Combining the elements of earthy blues and roots music with soulful gospel, Dione adds her powerful and emotional voice with heartfelt lyrics that tug at the mind and soul..."~ Memphis Marty, The Blues and Roots Music Blog

"Fiery, Sassy and Savory... Dione Taylor is an artist you can't "Resist"."~ Cleve Baker, Confessing the Blues Radio

A few months ago, many of you submitted photos of your grandmothers for my "Grandma's Hands" slideshow video. A special thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your photos and memories with me. The video set to "Grandma's Hands" was particularly meaningful to me remembering the sage advice, sweetness and safety of growing up knowing both my maternal and paternal grandmothers. I hope you will enjoy viewing this visual narrative of such a sacred relationship.

What people are saying about Dione Taylor's new album "Born Free"

"Dione reaches for an extra helping of soul and blues to her mix on "Born Free", with stunning results"~ Danny Marks, Host /Producer Bluz.FM on Jazz FM91.

"This new recording by Dione is earthy, soulful and the songs are great. A fine funky offering from one of my favourite singers."~ David Clayton-Thomas, Blood Sweat & Tears

"Wow, what a talent! Fans of blues and roots will eat this album up! Combining the musical elements of earthy blues and roots music with soulful gospel, Dione adds her powerful and emotional voice with heartfelt lyrics that tug at the mind and soul to produce an album that captures the listener... Favorite track of mine is the Bill Withers song, "Grandma's Hands"."~ Memphis Marty, The Blues and Roots Music Blog

Dione's newest release "Born Free" is getting lots of support from radio in the blues/roots/folk charts at the CBC and College radio stations across the country.